9.73°C Vancouver

Nov 11, 2020 12:23 AM -

Celebrate Diwali safely this year: Doug McCallum

Share On

On behalf of City Council, I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali this year.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a much-loved cultural tradition in Surrey that promotes the message of unity, warmth and joy.

Like all big celebrations, Diwali is traditionally a time for family and friends to come together to enjoy food and each other’s company.

This year, however, celebrations must be approached differently.

With the recent sharp rise of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Vancouver a new Provincial Health Order was issued this past weekend and it is vital that Diwali celebrations comply with the new order.

If we all do our part, we can rein in the spread of the virus and bring the curve back down.

That is why it is more important than ever that this year’s celebrations are kept only to your immediate household as mandated by the Provincial Health Order.

That means no social gatherings, whether they be indoors or outdoors, of any size beyond your immediate household.

I am proud of how the vast majority of our community have taken the COVID public health protocols to heart.

We must all continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of this virus so we can better our odds of getting back to the way of life we all want sooner rather than later.

Make no mistake about it, the actions we take now will have a long-term impact in our fight against COVID.

So do your part and keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe by fully observing the new Provincial Health Order that has been put in place between now and November 23.

Latest news

BCJan 13, 2026

School bus crash in western Manitoba sends several children to hospital

Several children were taken to hospital after a school bus left a highway in western Manitoba on Tuesday morning, according to RCMP. Police say the bus rolled off the road south of Mafeking, near the community of Swan River, roughly 550 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. RCMP confirmed that four people on board the bus suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment. Other passengers were assessed at the scene and were also taken to hospital as a precaution. The cau
statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha
BCJan 13, 2026

Lake Country RCMP arrest two suspects in break and enter investigation linked to Kelowna

Lake Country RCMP say two men have been arrested following an early morning break and enter that investigators believe is connected to a series of similar crimes targeting businesses in Kelowna. Police were called to a business in the 11,000 block of Oceola Road around 3:00 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a break and enter in progress. Officers contained the area and arrested two male suspects as they exited the building carrying tools commonly associated with break and enter offences. RCMP say a search of the suspects uncovered identifiable property and Canadian currency believed to b
atmospheric-river-soaks-b-c-south-coast-as-rainfall-tops-200-millimetres-in-some-areas
BCJan 13, 2026

Atmospheric river soaks B.C. south coast as rainfall tops 200 millimetres in some areas

Communities across British Columbia’s south coast and Vancouver Island have been hit with intense rainfall over the past three days as an atmospheric river moved through the region, prompting evacuation orders, alerts and ongoing flood warnings. Environment Canada says several areas recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain between Saturday and Monday, with the Kennedy Lake Forestry Station on Vancouver Island measuring nearly 286 millimetres during the period. On the mainland, Port Mellon reported 204 millimetres, while Ucluelet recorded 168 millimetres and Squamish received 132 millimetre
teen-critically-injured-in-richmond-hit-and-run-as-police-seek-suspect-vehicle
BCJan 13, 2026

Teen critically injured in Richmond hit-and-run as police seek suspect vehicle

A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene late Saturday night in Richmond, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called just after 11:25 p.m. to reports of a disturbance in the 4200 block of No. 3 Road. When they arrived, they found the teenager unconscious and suffering serious injuries. He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he continues to receive life-saving care. Investigators believe the collision followed an altercation near the roadway. The incident has prompted a parallel investigation into an alleged assault causi

Related News